RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: Accurate measurement of ingredients for cooked homemade diets helps ensure diets are complete and balanced. Studies have demonstrated measuring dry dog food with measuring cups results in significant inaccuracy. Therefore, measuring ingredients by volume when preparing these diets may be inaccurate. The purpose was to determine the accuracy of preparing cooked homemade diets by measuring ingredients by volume (measuring cups and spoons) or weight (digital gram scale with a syringe for measuring oil only). SAMPLES: 42 diet samples prepared by 21 participants. PROCEDURES: 21 participants were instructed on homemade diet preparation based on weight or volume measurement methods. Diet samples underwent proximate analysis and mineral analysis. Data, expressed on a dry matter basis (DMB) and an energy density basis (EDB), from both groups were compared to the anticipated nutrient profile to determine which method resulted in more accuracy. Data from individual samples within each group were compared to each other to determine the precision of both methods. RESULTS: Weight measurements were more precise for crude protein, crude fat, nitrogen-free extract, and potassium (DMB and EDB) and more accurate for ash (DMB and EDB) and iron (EDB). Comparatively, volume measurements were more precise for ash (DMB) and more accurate for iron (DMB). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings suggest weight measurements should be utilized to prepare cooked homemade diets for dogs to promote precision and accuracy.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: To compare pet owners' and veterinarians' perceptions of veterinarian-client conversations concerning pet weight and identify challenges related to communication about weight. SAMPLE POPULATION: Veterinarians (n = 24) and pet owners (27) in southern Ontario, Canada. PROCEDURES: 3 veterinarian and 5 pet owner focus groups were conducted with a semistructured interview format. Thematic analysis of verbatim transcripts was conducted. RESULTS: Pet owners valued weight as an important health indicator for pets yet did not expect to discuss weight extensively at every appointment. Owners expected veterinarians to provide options and tailor recommendations when discussing weight management. Owners appeared more concerned with underweight animals, whereas veterinarians focused on obese animals. Veterinarians identified communication challenges, including the perception that owners are uninterested in discussing weight and conversations can become adversarial. Veterinarians reported various benefits and challenges of using humor to address pet weight and emphasized that weight-related conversations often depend on the existing veterinarian-client relationship. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Some perceptions of pet owner expectations expressed by veterinarians in this study align with owner preferences, yet several opportunities exist for changes to veterinarians' approaches to weight-related communication with clients.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: Pet weight may be difficult for veterinary professionals to address with clients, particularly when pets are overweight or obese. The objective of this study was to characterize the communication processes and content of weight-related conversations occurring between veterinary professionals and clients. SAMPLE: Audio-video recordings of 917 veterinarian-client-patient interactions involving a random sample of 60 veterinarians and a convenience sample of clients. PROCEDURES: Companion animal veterinarians in southern Ontario, Canada, were randomly recruited, and interactions with their clients were audio-video recorded. Interactions were reviewed for mentions of weight, then further analyzed by means of a researcher-generated coding framework to provide a comprehensive assessment of communication specific to weight-related interactions. RESULTS: 463 of 917 (50.5%) veterinary-client-patient interactions contained an exchange involving the mention of a single patient's (dog or cat) weight and were included in final analysis. Of the 463 interactions, 150 (32.4%) involved a discussion of obesity for a single patient. Of these, 43.3% (65/150) included a weight management recommendation from the veterinary team, and 28% (42/150) provided clients with a reason for pursuing weight management. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings illustrate opportunities to optimize obesity communication to improve the health and wellbeing of veterinary patients.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Thiamine is an essential dietary nutrient in cats; however, studies on the stability of thiamine in pet food are limited. The objective of this study was to analyze thiamine concentrations in commercial feline extruded diets over time at room and freezing temperatures. Twelve diets were split in half and thiamine concentrations were assessed using fluorometry. One half of each diet was then stored at room temperature (24°C) and the other half was frozen (-20°C). Subsamples were analyzed at 2 other time points at 6-month intervals up to 1 year. Data were assessed using a mixed procedure (2-factor factorial model with factors time and treatment). Based on F-tests, thiamine concentrations decreased over time (P = 0.001), with no treatment*time interaction (P = 0.9534). In conclusion, regardless of treatment, thiamine degraded at a similar rate over time.

Dans les aliments extrudés pour félins, la thiamine s'est dégradée à un taux similaire lorsqu'elle est conservée à −20 °C par rapport à la température ambiante. La thiamine est un nutriment alimentaire essentiel chez les chats; cependant, les études sur la stabilité de la thiamine dans les aliments pour animaux de compagnie sont limitées. L'objectif de la présente étude était d'analyser les concentrations de thiamine dans les aliments extrudés commerciaux pour félins au fil du temps à des températures ambiantes et de congélation. Douze aliments ont été divisés en deux et les concentrations de thiamine ont été évaluées par fluorométrie. La moitié de chaque aliment a ensuite été conservée à température ambiante (24 °C) et l'autre moitié a été congelée (−20 °C). Les sous-échantillons ont été analysés à deux moments supplémentaires à des intervalles de 6 mois jusqu'à 1 an. Les données ont été évaluées à l'aide d'une procédure mixte (modèle factoriel à deux facteurs avec les facteurs temps et traitement). Les tests F globaux ont montré une diminution de la concentration de thiamine au fil du temps (P = 0,001) et aucune interaction entre le traitement et le temps (P = 0,9534). En conclusion, quel que soit le traitement, la thiamine s'est dégradée à un rythme similaire dans le temps.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Prior research demonstrates significant inaccuracy when repeatedly measuring the same amount of dry dog food using a dry-food measuring cup, bringing into question the accuracy of measuring devices. This study aimed to determine dog owners' accuracy when measuring different volumes of dry dog food using different types of measuring devices. One hundred dog owners, randomly assigned one of three measuring devices (a one-cup dry-food measuring cup, a two-cup graduated-liquid measuring cup or a two-cup commercial food scoop), were asked to measure », ½ and 1 cup of dry dog food. Accuracy was assessed with an electronic gram scale by comparing measured volumes with the correct weight in grams. Individual accuracy ranged from -47.83% to 152.17% across devices and volumes. Measuring accuracy was found to be associated with the volume of food measured (p<0.001) and the type of measuring device used (p<0.001). Findings highlight approaches for decreasing excess intake of calories by dogs, including promotion of tactics to improve measurement accuracy (eg, gram scales, volume-calibrated dry-food measuring devices), especially for measuring small volumes.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Canine food allergies are the result of an immune-mediated hypersensitivity reaction to dietary proteins and can manifest as a variety of dermatologic and/or gastrointestinal clinical signs. Food elimination trials followed by provocation tests are used to diagnose food allergies; however, no research has been conducted to determine whether elimination trials and provocation tests are being properly implemented by pet owners. The objectives of this study were to determine the level of knowledge of dog owners regarding food allergies, and to investigate how dog owners approach diagnosis and treatment with their veterinarians. This information will provide veterinary teams with insight on how to work with dog owners to obtain successful diagnosis and treatment. The results indicate that appropriate diet selection for the food elimination trial, owner education on compliance during the trial, and re-challenging with the previous diet should be the focal points for veterinarians suspecting food allergies in a canine patient.

Évaluation des connaissances des propriétaires de chiens portant sur le diagnostic et le traitement des allergies alimentaires canines. Les allergies alimentaires canines sont le résultat d'une réaction d'hypersensibilité à médiation immunitaire face aux protéines alimentaires et elles peuvent se manifester par divers signes cliniques dermatologiques et/ou gastro-intestinaux. Les essais d'élimination d'aliments suivis de tests de provocation sont utilisés pour diagnostiquer les allergies alimentaires. Cependant, aucune recherche n'a été réalisée pour déterminer si les essais d'élimination et les tests de provocation sont mis en place de façon adéquate par les propriétaires. Les objectifs de cette étude étaient de déterminer le niveau de connaissances des propriétaires de chiens concernant les allergies alimentaires et d'étudier la façon dont les propriétaires de chiens envisagent le diagnostic et le traitement avec leur médecin vétérinaire. Ces renseignements permettront aux équipes vétérinaires de constater comment travailler avec les propriétaires de chiens afin d'obtenir un diagnostic et un traitement réussi. Les résultats indiquent que le bon choix d'alimentation pour les essais d'élimination des aliments, l'éducation des propriétaires pour la conformité durant les essais et de nouveaux tests avec l'alimentation antérieure devraient être les principaux sujets pour les médecins vétérinaires soupçonnant des allergies alimentaires chez un patient canin.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Nutritional assessment guidelines recommend that veterinary teams assess the body composition of pets at every visit. The objective of this study was to determine how veterinary teams in Ontario, Canada assess body composition in cats and dogs. An online survey was distributed to veterinary teams, with questions on how often body composition is assessed, what methods are used, and demographics. The results demonstrated that 66.7% of respondents reported always assessing body composition. Of those, body condition scoring (99.4%) and body weight (99.4%) were used most often, with morphometry (41.2%) and muscle condition scoring (33.9%) used less frequently. Veterinary technicians were less likely to assess body composition compared with veterinarians. These results indicate that veterinary teams do not assess body composition as indicated by nutritional assessment guidelines. Thus, education of veterinary teams is needed, as body composition should be assessed for every patient as part of a complete nutritional assessment.

Évaluation de la composition corporelle canine et féline par les équipes de soins vétérinaires en Ontario, au Canada. Les lignes directrices sur l'évaluation nutritionnelle recommandent que les équipes vétérinaires évaluent la composition corporelle des animaux de compagnie à chaque visite. L'objectif de cette étude consistait à déterminer comment les équipes vétérinaires de l'Ontario, au Canada, évaluent la composition corporelle des chats et des chiens. Un sondage en ligne a été distribué aux équipes vétérinaires et posait des questions sur la fréquence de l'évaluation de la composition corporelle, les méthodes utilisées et les données démographiques. Les résultats ont montré que 66,7 % des répondants signalaient qu'ils évaluaient toujours la composition corporelle. Parmi les paramètres utilisées, les notes d'état corporel (99,4 %) et le poids corporel (99,4 %) étaient les plus souvent utilisés et les notes de morphométrie (41,2 %) et d'état musculaire (33,9 %) étaient les moins fréquemment utilisées. Il était moins probable que les techniciens vétérinaires évaluent la composition corporelle comparativement aux médecins vétérinaires. Ces résultats indiquent que les équipes vétérinaires n'évaluent pas la composition corporelle conformément aux lignes directrices sur l'évaluation nutritionnelle. Par conséquent, une éducation des équipes vétérinaires est requise, car la composition corporelle devrait être évaluée pour chaque patient dans le cadre d'une évaluation nutritionnelle complète.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

A 6-month-old intact female giant schnauzer dog fed a nutritionally unbalanced homemade diet was evaluated because of a 1-month history of lameness and difficulty walking. Abnormalities identified on ancillary tests, in conjunction with the dog's clinical improvement following diet change, suggested a diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency and nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism. This report underlines the importance of appropriate feeding management, especially during the vulnerable growth phase.

Déséquilibres alimentaires chez un chiot de grande race causant des fractures de compression, une carence en vitamine D et de l'hyperparathyroïdisme soupçonné secondaire à la nutrition. Une chienne Schnauzer géante intacte âgée de 6 mois qui consommait une diète maison qui n'était pas équilibrée sur le plan nutritionnel a été évaluée en raison d'une anamnèse de 1 mois de boiterie et de difficultés ambulatoires. Les anomalies identifiées sur des tests ancillaires, de concert avec l'amélioration clinique du chien après le changement de diète, suggéraient un diagnostic de carence en vitamine D et d'hyperparathyroïdisme nutritionnel secondaire. Ce rapport souligne l'importance d'une gestion appropriée de l'alimentation, particulièrement durant la phase de croissance vulnérable.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Nutritionists and dermatologists recommend avoiding flavored over-the-counter (OTC) products and medications during dietary elimination trials because those products are thought to contain common proteins that may confound the trial. The objective of this study was to determine if there are soy, pork, and beef antigens in flavored OTC products and medications and, if so, could those antigens be identified. Seven products, three OTC products and four veterinary therapeutics, were tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for the presence of soy, pork, and beef antigens, in addition to positive and negative controls. All OTC test products produced ELISA results in agreement with their ingredient lists. ELISA testing of veterinary therapeutic products did not agree with either their ingredient lists or product inserts because of other ingredients not listed. Veterinarians should contact manufacturers of oral therapeutics prior to prescribing them to determine other ingredients. Likewise, manufacturers should be contacted regarding "natural and artificial flavors." Lastly, gelatin capsules may contain either beef or pork proteins and should not be administered during a trial. In conclusion, flavored medications contain the common antigens soy, pork, and beef although they may or may not be listed on the ingredient list or product insert.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The goal of this article was to provide veterinary practitioners with an overview of the types of alternative dietary options available to pet owners and a practical method by which to evaluate the nutritional adequacy of these various options. Our approach to categorizing the alternative dietary options is based on the nutritional adequacy of these dietary options, because patients will be at risk for nutrition-related diseases if fed a nutritionally incomplete or improperly balanced diet long term.

Asunto(s)